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Votes at a glance: Kingsport passes multiple ordinances and resolutions, including school HVAC funding and developer reimbursement
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions on zoning, budgets, school HVAC funding, developer reimbursement, equipment purchases and several public‑art and easement items. Most items passed unanimously 7–0.
Kingsport’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Aug. 19 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions addressing zoning, city and school budgets, developer reimbursements, equipment purchases and public‑art donations. Most items passed unanimously, 7–0.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes: The board approved the Aug. 5 work session and Aug. 5 business meeting minutes (motion by Vice Mayor Duncan; second by Alderman Cooper). Vote: 7–0.
- Rezoning along Blakely Drive: The board approved an ordinance to rezone parcels on Blakely Drive from R‑1B residential to A‑1 agricultural after a presentation from planning staff and a positive planning commission recommendation. Vote: 7–0.
- Zoning text amendment — religious assembly: The board amended Chapter 114 of the code to add religious assembly as a principal use in M‑1, M‑1R and MX zoning districts, following a staff presentation and planning commission recommendation. Vote: 7–0.
- Budget adjustments and ordinances: The board approved multiple budget adjustment ordinances, including amendments to fiscal 2025 budgets (final adoption) and fiscal 2026 budgets (first and final readings for various items). Votes: 7–0 on the various ordinances. The packet noted retiree health insurance stop‑loss receipts and other fund movements; specific dollar amounts appear in the city’s budget amendment summary in the meeting packet.
- Washington Elementary HVAC: The board approved an ordinance to amend school general purpose and general projects funds to fund replacement of the Washington Elementary School HVAC system, using existing fund balance pending expected bond proceeds. Staff noted a bid opening scheduled the following day and return to the board for contract award on Sept. 16. Vote: 7–0.
- School donation: The board approved acceptance of a $25,000 donation from Melissa’s Hope Foundation to be used at both John Sevier and Dobyns‑Bennett high schools. Vote: 7–0.
- Developer reimbursement — Brickyard Village Phase 1: The board approved a resolution authorizing reimbursement of materials agreement funds to Brickyard TN LLC related to Brickyard Village Phase 1; packet listed the reimbursement as $108,330.93. Vote: 7–0.
- Equipment purchase — Ditch Witch JT5 horizontal drill: The board approved a resolution to purchase a Ditch Witch JT5 horizontal drill through a cooperative purchasing agreement for use by public works; staff said delivery could be two to three months. Vote: 7–0.
- ESRI enterprise license agreement: The board approved a three‑year enterprise license agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) for GIS software used by multiple city departments. Vote: 7–0.
- Hansen CIS change order: The board approved change order No. 3 to the Hansen Customer Information System contract to add vendor support for migration tasks. Vote: 7–0.
- AI pilot: The board approved a no‑cost, six‑month AI pilot tied to the Hansen CIS (see separate coverage). Vote: 7–0.
- Park renaming: The board approved renaming Riverview Park to Jack Pierce Senior Park at Riverview; family members attended the meeting. Vote: 7–0.
- Contract bid actions and donations: The board rejected all bids for irrigation pump upgrades for Cattails at MeadowView to rebid the work; approved acceptance of a Rotary sculpture donation (“Unselfish Service Above All”) to be installed near Fire Station 2; and approved a reimbursement and easement consent in consent agenda items (Tennessee State Museum grant application, five storm drain art murals, and a right‑of‑way easement with Kingsport Power Company). Votes: 7–0 on each consent/resolution item.
The board conducted roll calls on several final readings; recorded roll calls showed all seven members voting yes on the final appropriations and adoption items.
What’s next Several items will return for contract awards or additional board action after bid openings or follow‑up work: staff said the Washington Elementary HVAC bid opening was scheduled the following day and contract approval is expected at the Sept. 16 meeting; the Ditch Witch drill delivery timeline will be confirmed by staff; and staff will rebid the MeadowView irrigation pump project after further contractor outreach.
